The Vintage Jewelry Appealing to Young Generations

Up until about fifteen years ago, would you ever have considered buying a piece of vintage jewelry or a vintage watch? The answer is probably no, and the reason lies in the concept of “second-hand” that is often associated (or used to be associated) with the idea of antique. A cliché examined on Saturday in the talk “Vintage and antique jewelry: among past and modernity”, moderated by Donatella Zappieri, Jewelry Business Consultant. She was joined on stage by four panelists, each with something to say on the subject by virtue of their respectable education and family background. Jewelry historian Amanda Triossi, for example, recounted her experience at Bulgari as the curator of exhibitions meant to enhance heritage. She began with some curious anecdotes, including one linked to a Ferrarelle water label and a postage stamp depicting a Bulgari piece that is now a veritable cult object. Marketing and advertising ploys that have, however, succeeded in interpreting top of the range, making it accessible to the general public, as have museum exhibitions, which have also been well attended by a young target group. Ida Faerber, a fourth-generation vintage jewelry dealer, recently launched F-Lab, a project that revolves around young designers re-modelling historical pieces from the Faerber Collection as part of contests in which Ida is often a member of the jury. Her experience travels on the threshold of a unique circular economy, drawing on the past for contemporary inspiration. Five generations of dealers behind Marianne Fisher, who spoke about her recent experience with The Jewelry Circle, an online platform dedicated to vintage sales and consultancy. Lastly, Marie Cécile Cisamolo, Jewelry Specialist at Sotheby's, talked about how vintage auctions are increasingly becoming the Gen Z’s playground for all kinds of merchandise. Proof of this is the shoe designed by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton bought by an eighteen-year-old Asian girl for $328,000.